CHAPTER NINETY FIVE - The Unseen Hand

Finally, as the gala began to wind down, Mara and Cassius managed to make their excuses and leave. As they stepped into the cool night air, Cassius let out a long breath. "Thank you," he said softly, taking Mara's hand. "I don't know what I would have done without you there." Mara squeezed his hand, offering a tired smile. "We're in this together, remember? Always." As they climbed into their waiting car, neither of them noticed the figure watching from the shadows, a phone pressed to their ear. "Ms. Hale? It's done. The seeds of doubt have been planted. They'll never see it coming." The next morning, Mara and Cassius were jolted awake by the incessant ringing of their phones. As they scrambled to answer, the news hit them like a tidal wave. Plutonia Enterprises had formally launched its hostile takeover bid. The financial news channels were in a frenzy, reporting on the dramatic plummet of The Keppler Heritage's stock. Shareholders were panicking, and the vultures were already